Doyle-Baker, P. K.Stewart, Jane Kathryn2017-12-182017-12-182009http://hdl.handle.net/1880/103597Bibliography: p. 71-75Osteoarthritis is a progressive degenerative disease which requires modification to a person's lifestyle. Physical and psychological shifts are needed to accommodate the disease. To gain an understanding of how women who are physically active were able to return to exercise after their diagnosis, a phenomenological study design was employed. Insight provided by seven women regarding constructing the exercise persona will add important knowledge to the experience of exercising with osteoarthritis. Individuals physically active previous to the diagnosis need to acquire knowledge for the construction of the exercise persona. Construction begins with moving emotionally from shock and disbelief to accepting the diagnosis, setting goals, and developing a plan to attain those goals. Encouragement from knowledgeable health professionals is advantageous to establishing confidence to perform exercise successfully. Exercise recommendations provided by physiotherapists or exercise professionals on frequency, intensity, type, and duration provide the necessary knowledge to return to exercise.ix, 89 leaves ; 30 cm.engUniversity of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission.master thesis10.11575/PRISM/2596